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What is an N99 mask and do you have to purchase one?

By now, you probably know more about N95 respirators than you thought possible. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, these masks have turn out to be lifesaving tools to medical personnel and other frontline workers in the struggle towards COVID-19. But these days, you’ll have spotted ads for N99 or R95 masks.

Let’s begin with the basics. All of these masks are respirators, rather than surgical masks. While surgical masks fit loosely on the face, allowing particles to enter by way of the sides, respirators are designed to create a seal across the face so that they filter out most particles. Respirators provide the very best protection in the midst of the present crisis, which is why governments and hospitals have been racing to purchase them for frontline workers. This has led to a global shortage of N95 masks.

Respirator names include a letter and a number. The letter—N, R, or P—refers to whether the mask is resistant to grease-based particles reminiscent of solvents and pesticides. (N is non-resistant; R is oil-resistant; P is oil-proof, so totally immune to oil.) The number refers to what proportion of airborne particles the mask filters out. The R and P masks are largely geared toward industrial workers; oil resistance isn’t notably relevant right now since coronavirus particles aren’t oil-based.

Typically, the more particles the respirator filters out, the harder it is to breathe when wearing the masks because they let in less airflow. Some respirator masks are equipped with a one-way valve that enables the wearer to breathe out, but filters out particles that are within the air breathed in. This isn’t an amazing option in the present disaster because for those who occur to be an asymptomatic service of the virus, you’d be breathing out virus-laden particles. With out this valve, many individuals report that it’s hard to wear higher filtration masks for a very long time with out feeling suffocated. Even N95 masks are meant to be worn for a limited time period: After a while, particles get stuck inside the filter, making it harder for the wearer to breathe.

The classification system was developed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, which approves masks and has a running list of approved manufacturers. In non-pandemic instances, respirator masks are primarily worn by workers who’re exposed to mud filled with dangerous particles, akin to these in development and mining. When there isn’t an outbreak, doctors don’t require that much protection from airborne particles, so they have an inclination to wear looser-fitting surgical masks.

Should you purchase an N99 masks?

The typical individual sheltering in place should not buy N95 respirators. All N95s on the market should go to those on the front lines of the fight in opposition to the coronavirus. But when it comes to N99, N100, P99, or P100 masks, it’s a bit more complicated.

If you happen to’re a layperson sheltering in place and only occasionally going out for essential errands, you seemingly don’t need one in all these masks. And though they aren’t ultimate for healthcare workers because they’re troublesome to breathe in, the N95 scarcity has left many frontline workers desperate for any form of respirator. One among these higher-filtration masks might be their greatest option.

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